new toys...

....for the adults & kids!!

this christmas brought many, many blessings for our family....and we are still having so much fun *playing* with them all....so much fun that i have been ignoring my blogging....i will get back on track soon :)

here are a few of our "toys" in action....

for myself a new lens for my camera ~ whoohoo!!...

for brett a flip camera ~ awesome!!....

for brother his new *tractor* ~ he is in awe!!.....

and i have created a monster with sis ~ a real digital camera!!

these below were taken with my new zoom lens...

(oh and yes, sis lost TWO more teeth over the holidays!!) 

and below is a *movie* from brett's camera....look for more videos around the blog now that we have a flip camera!!.....go to bottom of blog to mute the music player before playing!....p.s. ~ no children were harmed in the making of this video :)

Merry Christmas....

...from our home to yours!!

(the kids last night before bed!)

We Wish You All A Very Merry Christmas!!

and from us to you....The Christmas Story....because this is one story that NEVER gets old!

Luke 2:1-20

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.


4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.



8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”



13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,



14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,


and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”



15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”



16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

cutest christmas program....

...ever!!

wednesday big man had his last day of pre-school for the holiday break and they entertained us with the most adorable program!

his class sang *old saint nicholas* to the tune of *old mac donald*....too precious!!

he did great with singing and doing the hand movements!

after the program we visited his room, gathered his things and then went to meet the special guest!

oh but first a quick pic with his pre-school love!!

and here he is.....santa came to visit!!

brother man talked & talked telling him all his wishes.....santa said at the end he was glad he has his tape recorder going!!

and our most favorite......mrs. sandy!!

richards' christmas...

sunday, after a morning of hanging around the house, we traveled over to mamaw & papaw richards' house for a yummy lunch....seeing as they live in the same neighborhood as mimi & pops the kids decided they wanted to ride over in the gator....what a fun way to deliver presents!

once the kids got there they went straight to work sweeping off the back patio....such little helpers!

uncle marty and his nephews...

such cuties!!.....if i do say so myself :)

we love you papaw!

and we love you too mamaw!

...oh and i bet you all can tell where the kids beautiful blue eyes came from :)

uncle marty showing blake how it's done!

being silly with pops before we opened presents!

a few more photo ops!

we had such a wonderful busy weekend in georgia visiting with everyone....can't wait to see everyone again soon!

westbrooks' christmas....

after the pink pig saturday we continued with the atlanta traditions and grabbed some to-go from the varisty...the kids loved their F.O. and i love their onion rings!....though i think brett's tummy wasn't loving it later :)

oh and these two cuties above?!?!

introducing caroline & nicholas....the kids *touchable* elves at mimi's house :) they accompanied us all weekend in our adventures...

and next on our list was the westbrooks christmas at tumbleweeds saturday evening!

the kids loved mamaw's antlers so of course they had to try them on too!

mamaw and her newest great grand on her first christmas!!

sweet girls!!

precious boys!!

proud, proud grandparents!

dancing with aunt cinda!!

we love cici!!

more proud grandparents!!

our children are so blessed...

truly blessed...

and our attempt at a group shot of all the cousins...

not too bad considering the amount of kids!